Striking mechanisms for clocks



Nov. 3, 1964 o. TSCHUDIN 3,154,911

STRIKING MECHANISMS FOR CLOCKS F I F/c-z/ Filed June 19, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 1 313i AAAIIIU I T 3 M 55 E6 jg? ad INVEN r01? AMMM Wm M MWmm.

0. TSCHUDIN STRIKING MECHANISMS FOR CLOCKS Nov. 3, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed June 19, 1963 M QM E: w \Q Li 5. 8

United States Patent 3,154,911 STflItlltlNG MEQHMQKSM lFllR CLGQKS@swald Tschudin, l-ianptstrasse 153, Well am Rhein, Germany Filed June39, 1963, Ser. No. 289,785 tlllaims priority, application Germany June22, 1962 9 Claims. (U. 58-38) This invention has reference toelectrically controllable striking works or striking mechanisms forclocks, and more particularly to such striking works or mechanisms forclocks which are wound by electromagnetic means.

Prior art electrically controllable striking works include a cam whichis operated by the shaft of the minute hand of the clock and which, inturn, operat s a release lever for the striking work. Because of the waythat release lever is being operated, its motion is a gradual motioneffected in small uccessive increments. At the exact time when thestriking work is LO operate the aforementioned release lever is broughtout of engagement with a toothed sensing pack. The latter cooperateswith a cam disc operated by the shaft of the hour hand of the clock andcomprising sectors having progressively changing radii in such a fashionthat the rack is being returned to its initial position in a number ofsuccessive steps, in the particular number of such steps depending uponthe particular position of the cam disc. Each of the steps in which thesensing rack is being returned to its initial position results in onestrike of the striking work.

Striking works of this description may be associated with clocks whichare operated electromagnetically, or which are driven by an electricmotor.

In striking Works of this description the cam which is operated by theshaft of the minute hand of the clock and which, in turn, releases theaforementioned toothed sensing rack is subjected to considerablestresses during a portion of each revolution of the minute hand of theclock. This load imposed upon the clockwork, i.e. upon the shaft of theminute hand thereof, is adverse to its precise operation.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improvedstriking works which are not subject to the aforementioned drawback orlimitation.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved striking worksfor clocks wherein operation is initiated by engagement of pairs ofcooperating contacts requiring minimal forces for their operation ratherthan by means which greatly change the load to which a clockwork issubjected.

These and other objects of the invention and advantages thereof willbecome more apparent from the ensuing description of the invention whenconsidered jointly with the appended drawings.

In the drawings FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a striking workfor I3. clock embodying this invention, and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modification of the strikingwork shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1, numeral ll has been applied to indicate a gearwhich is in meshing engagement with the minute hand drive of aclockwork, this latter drive not being shown in FIG. 1. There is arelatively large amount of play between the teeth of gear 11 and thoseof its driving gear (not shown). This play is so large that a cam 12integral with gear Ill may freely be pivoted a predetermined angle aabout the axis of gear 11. Armature 34 of soft iron is integral with cam12, as a result of which both parts always move simultaneously. Armature34- is operatively arranged in the gap formed between the poles of amagnetic yoke 35 supporting an energizing winding 36. Cam i2 is adaptedto operate a pair or" cooperating contacts 32. Tie downward moverent ofthe lower contact of contacts 32 is limited by an abutment in. Contacts32. are operated by cam 12 upon completion of any revolution of theminute drive of the clockwork, i.e. cam 12 causes an engagement ofcontacts 32 at the end of equal intervals of sixty rninutes. At suchtimes armature is in the position shown in 1 angularly displaced fromits median position a 1U. between the poles of yoke 35, the angle ofangular displacement being a. degrees. Upon cnergization of wind: ingarmature 3 2- is moved to its median position as (a result of whichcontacts 32 are released by cam 12 and separate.

Reference numeral 13 has been applied to indicate the shaft of the hourhand. Shaft 13 supports a cam disc 14 comprising sectors of 30 degreeshaving progressively changing radii. Rack i5 is arranged verticallyabove shaft 13 and adapted to move radiall either upward or downward. Inview of the speed at which cam disc 14 is being driven another sectorthereof is moved every hour under rack 15. Latches 31 and 17 are adaptedto cooperate with toothed rack 15. Latch 31 adapted to engage the teeth51 of rack 15 is supported by an arm 21 of lever 22 pivotally supportedat 52. Latch 17 is pivotally supported at 16 and under the bias ofspring Rack i5 is provided with an edge 49 projecting laterally beyondthe ends of teeth 51 and engaged by latch 17.

Latch i7 is formed by a lever having two arms. In the position of theparts of the striking work which is shown in FIG. 1 arm 19 is juxtaposedto a hook-shaped abutment Ztl integral with lever 22. As a resultabutment 2% maintains latch 17 in the particular position thereof shownin P16. 1.

Arm iof lever 22 supports a striker 29 adapted to hit against a bell orequivalent sound emitting body. Reference numenal 26 has been applied toindicate an electromagnet having an armature 25. As long as theconstituent parts of the striking work are in the position shown in PEG.1 contact 2 conductively interconnects arm 53 of lever 22 with thearmature 25 of electromagnet 25 maintaining the energizing circuit ofthe latter closed. Arm 53 supports a damping piston 27 movably arrangedin damping c linder 28. The latter is provided with check valve 48. Thusparts 2'7, 23, 43 form a dashpot. Normally lever 5.32 is maintained inthe position shown under the bias of resetting spring 23.

Upon energization of electromagnet 26 the armature 25 of the latter islifted. As a result cont-act 24 engages lever arm 53 and transmits themotion of armature 25 upon lever 22, causing a clockwise pivotal motionof the latter against the bias of spring 23. The presence of check valve4-? precludes any damping of this stroke of lever 22. The length of theaforementioned stroke of lever arm 53 is limited by an adjustableabutment to which reference character it has been applied. Strikersupported by lever arm 53 swings beyond the upper limit position oflever arm 53 determined by abutment hits against bell 3%, or anequivalent soundemitting body. As a result of the pivotal motion oflever 22 the energizing circuit of electromagnet 26 is opened atThereupon lever 22 moves under the bias of resetting spring 2 3 inclockwise direction back to its initial position shown in FIG. 1, thisbackward swing being delayed by the action of dashpot 2'7, 28, d8.Abutment 3? engaging latch 31 lifts said latch from one tooth of rack15' into the tooth immediately adjacent thereto. Hence rack 15 is liftedduring the delayed resetting operation of lever 22 a distance equal tothe spacing between two teeth of rack 15.

Any time contact 32 is closed by the operation of cam 12 associated withgear ii, the energizing circuit of electromagnet as is being closed,armature 25 is being attracted and lever 22 is bein pivoted in clockwisedirection. Hook-shaped abutment 2d maintains latch 1'7 in the positionshown. Abutment 39 causes disengagement of latch 31 from the gears 51 ofrack 15. Therefore rack is free to drop down until engaged by one of thesectors of cam disc 14. Simultaneously arm 53 of lever 22 closes a pairof cooperating contacts 37, thus closing the energizing circuit ofwinding 3d. This circuit includes the switch-over contacts 1% operatedby rack 15. The center switch-over contact is engaged by rack 15 in theinitial position of the latter and instantly interrupted when rack 15'is moved out of its initial position. Yoke as is magnetized during thetransient energization of winding as, as a result of which armature 34is being pulled around an angle a exactly to its horizontal position,i.e. into the median plane of yoke 3d. As a result of the large playbetween gear 11 and its driving gear (not shown), this pivotal motion ofarmature 34 and switching cam 12 can be effected without affecting thedriving shaft of the minute hand of the clock. When yoke 35 ismagnetized and armature pivoted,

cam 12 is moved out of engagement with contacts 32, thus allowingopening of the latter.

As lever 22 is being reset by spring 23 rack 15 is lifted by latch 31 adistance equal to the spacing between two contiguous teeth of said rack.This resetting operation is slowed down by the action of dashpot 27, 23,455. When rack 15 is lifted latch 17 may engage any of its teeth 51,depending upon the position of cam disk 1 1. However, if the striker 2%had to perform but one single strikeas is the case when cam disk 14 isin the position ofFIG. l-then rack 15 is returned to its initialposition shown in FIG. 1 at the first resetting step thereof. Contact 2drecloses again after completion of the resetting stroke of lever 22,thus preparing repeated energization of electromagnet as.

Any time the striker mechanism has to perform several strikes cam disc14 will be angularly displaced from the position shown in FIG. 1. Undersuch circumstances rack 15 is allowed to move upon release thereof adistance exceeding the spacing between two contiguous teeth, and contact18; is closed following the first resetting step of rack 15. oncecontact 24 establishes right away the energizing circuit ofelectromagnet 26, whose armature 25 is again thrown against lever 22.This play is repeated periodically until rack 15 is returned to theinitial position thereof wherein contact 13; is open and contact 18 isclosed. Hence magnet 26 will be reenergized only after one full hour haselapsed upon operation of contact 32 by cam 12.

Reference numeral 33 has been applied to indicate a push button switchadapted when operated to shunt contact 32, thus energizing the circuitof magnet 26 before one full hour has elapsed. This causes a renewedrelease of rack 15 and consequently a repetition of the last sequence ofstrikes.

Reference numeral 41 has been applied to indicate a second electromagnetfor effecting half hourly strikes. Magnet 41 is provided with anarmature engaging a lever (l3? pivotally supported at 54. Lever 43, inturn,

supports a striker 44 adapted to strike against a bell 45, or equivalentsound emitting body.

This occurs after the pivotal movement of lever 43 about fulcrum 54 hasbeen stopped by abutment 55. The energizing circuit of magnet 41includes cooperating contacts 4 6 closed each minutes by cam 12 of gear11. This results in energization of electromagnet d1 and closing ofcontacts by lever 43. Closing of contacts effects energization ofwinding as whose armature 34 is being turned an angle tr about its axisvOf symmetry vertical to the plane of the paper on which FIG. 1 isdrawn, thus resulting in immediate reopening of contact 16.

Referring now to 1 1G. 2, the structure shown therein includes a toothedsensing rack 115 taking the place of til the linear sensing rack 15 ofP18. 1. Toothed sensing rack 11$ is in the shape of a gear segment andis pivoted at 65. Reference numeral 151 has been applied to indicate theteeth of rack 115. Latch 131 on lever 122 cooperatively engages theteeth 151 of rack 115. In addition thereto, latch 11'7 pivoted at 116coopenatively engages the teeth 151 of rack 115. Ann 121 of lever 122pivotaliy supports latch 131 and the latter is in the shape of a leverhaving two arms each to different sides of the pivot of latch 131.Reference numeral 120 has been applied to indicate the lower of thesearms abutting against an eccentric 139. Gne end 119 of latch 117projects into the path of movement of arm 120 and when latch 117 engagesan edge 149 of rack projecting beyond the teeth 151 thereof when rack115 is in its initial position shown in FIG. 2.

The structure of FIG. 2 further comprises a number of parts identical tothose included in the structure of PEG. 1 and designated in FIG. 2 bythe same reference charactersas in PEG. 1. Thus numeral 12 has beenapplied to indicate a cam for controlling contact 32. Cam 12 forms partof a gear in meshing engagement with another. gear and having asubstantial play as more fully ex lained in connection with thedescription of FIG. 1. Cam 12 is driven at such a speed as to achieve acomplete revolution each 60 minutes. Cam 1?; is associated with anotheroam 134 turning about the same shaft and hence at the same speed as cam12.. Whenever cam 12 closes contact 32 at the end of a full hour, cam134 is juxtaposed to a slide as. Slide 66 is coupled with lever 122 bythe intermediary of bell-crank-shaped lever 70. Magnet 26 is energizedin the same fashion as set forth in detail in connection with FIG. 1. Ifelectromagnet 26 is energized and its armature 25 attracted, lever 122is pivoted in count rclockwise direction about fulcrum 52, and slide 65is moved from left to right by the action of bell-crank-shaped couplinglever '70. As a result abutment (:9 on slide as engages cam 134 andpivots cams 13d and 12 jointly a predetermined distance depending uponthe amount of play between the gear of which cams 112 and 134 form apart and the gear meshing with and driving that gear. The aforementionedpivotal motions of cams 13d and 12 cause disengagement of cam 12 fromcontact 32 and opening of the latter.

The first closing of contact 32 and energization of electromagnet 26results in clockwise operation of lever 122.

During this stroke of lever 122 arm 12d thereof engages a pin on arm 119of latch 117 and pivots the latter in counterclockwise direction. At thesame time latch 131 engages the eccentric abutment 139 as a result ofwhich latch 131 is lifted out of the teeth 151 of rack 115. This freesrack 115 which may now drop down until its lower end abuts against oneof the sectors of cam disc 14. During the resetting stroke of lever 122both latches 131 and 1.17 cooperatively reengage the teeth 151 of rack115. Since contact 118 under the control of rack 115 close instantlywhen rack 115 is moved out of the initial position thereof,electromaguet Z5 is being energized periodically until such time whenrack 115 is returned to the initial position thereof shown in FIG. 2.The striker 29 strikes against bell 3%, or an equivalent sound emittingbody, incident to each energization of electromagnet 26 and incident toeach resetting step of rack 115.

it will be understood that 1 have illustrated and described hereinpreferred embodiments only of my invention and that various alterationsmay be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A striking work for clocks comprising in combination:

relatively remote from said cam disc and a plurality of positionsrelatively close to said cam disc and determined by the angular positionof said cam disc;

(0) means for resetting said rack in successive steps to said initialposition thereof from any of said plurality of positions thereofincluding an electromagnet, an armature operatively related to saidelectromagnet, a pivotable lever operated by said armature and meansproviding a resetting force for said lever;

(d) a striker under the control of said lever;

(e) a sound emitting body arranged in the path of movement of saidstriker;

(f) a latch cooperating with the teeth of said rack; and

(g) abutment means under the control of said lever for maintaining saidlatch out of engagement with the teeth of said rack when said rack is insaid initial position thereof and said armature is spaced from saidelectromagnet.

2. A striking Work for clocks as specified in claim 1 comprising:

(a) an edge on said rack projecting beyond the toothed portion thereofand engaged by said latch when said rack is in said initial positionthereof; and

(b) an abutment integral with said lever cooperating with said latch tomaintain said latch out of engagement with said rack.

3. A striking Work for clocks as specified in claim 1 comprising adamping system eifective in but one single direction delaying theresetting stroke of said lever under the action of said resetting force.

4. A striking work for clocks as specified in claim 1 comprising asingle contact means under the control of a clockwork for closing theenergizing circuit of said electromagnet.

5. A striking work for clocks as specified in claim 1 comprising:

(a) a single contact means under the control of the minute hand drive ofa clockwork for closing the energizing circuit of said electromagnet;and

(b) means under the control of said armature for causing deenergizationof the energizing circuit of said electromagnet.

6. A striking work for clocks as specified in claim 1 comprising:

(a) contact means under the control of the minute hand drive of aclockwork for closing the energizing circuit of said electromagnet;

(b) electromagnetic contact opening means for separating said contactmeans; and

(c) additional contact means under the control of said armature forclosing the energizing circuit of said electromagnetic contact openingmeans.

7. A striking work for clocks as specified in claim 1 comprising:

(a) contact means under the control of the minute hand drive of aclockwork for closing the energizing circuit of said electromagnet;

(b) a gear adapted to be driven with considerable play by said minutehand drive;

(0) a cam integral with said gear to engage said contact means to causeclosing thereof;

(d) a magnetizable element integral with said gear and said cam;

(e) a magnetizable yoke supporting an energizing Winding for jointlypivoting said magnetizable element, said gear and said cam in responseto energization of said energizing winding to separate said contactmeans; and

(1) additional contact means under the control of said armature forclosing the circuit of said energizing winding supported by said yoke.

8. A striking Work for clocks as specified in claim 1 comprising contactmeans arranged in the energizing circuit of said electromagnet and underthe control of said rack for closiri said energizing circuit in responseto movement of said rack from said initial position thereof.

9. A striking Work for clocks as specified in claim 1 comprising:

(a) contact means under the control of the minute hand drive of aclockwork for closing the energizing circuit of said electromagnet;

(b) a gear adapted to be driven with considerable play by said minutegear drive;

(0) a first carn integral with said gear adapted to engage said contactmeans to cause closing thereof;

(d) a second cam integral with said gear; and

(e) a slide under the control of said lever and including abutment meansengaging said second cam upon movement of said lever under the action ofsaid electromagnet and thereby causing said second cam to engage and toopen said contact means.

No references cited.

1. A STRIKING WORK FOR CLOCKS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A ROTATABLECAM DISC HAVING SECTORS OF PROGRESSIVELY VARYING RADII; (B) A MOVABLETOOTHED SENSING RACK COOPERATING WITH SAID CAM DISC, SAID RACK HAVING ANINITIAL POSITION RELATIVELY REMOTE FROM SAID CAM SDISC AND A PLURALITYOF POSITION RELATIVELY CLOSE TO SAID CAM DISC AND DETERMINED BY THEANGULAR POSITION OF SAID CAM DISC; (C) MEANS FOR RESETTING SAID RACK INSUCCESSIVE STEPS TO SAID INITIAL POSITION THEREOF FROM ANY OF SAIDPLURALITY OF POSITIONS THEREOF INCLUDING AN ELECTROMAGENET, AN ARMATUREOPERATIVELY RELATED TO SAID ELECTROMAGNET, A PIVOTABLE LEVER OPERATED BYSAID ARMATURE AND MEANS PROVIDING A RESETTING FORCE FOR SAID LEVER;